New York City is my favorite city in the world. I love everything about it: the energy, the hustle and bustle, the fact that you can walk everywhere. However, I’ve often wondered what life is like for stray cats in a city like New York.

Thankfully, there are goups like Anjellicle Cats Rescue. They are making a difference for abandoned, stray, and neglected cats and kittens in the city. For over fifteen years, their Hell’s Kitchen-based organization has been a lifeline for cats in need. They are a member of the Mayor’s Alliance and a New Hope Partner with the New York City Animal Care & Control (ACC). Their goal is to help make New York City a no kill city.

They work closely with ACC to pull out those cats who are in danger of being euthanized. Each one is welcomed with kindness and medical attention, with the goal of placement into a permanent, loving home. Anjellicle Cats Rescue is a no-kill, all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. They always enjoy meeting new volunteers and people who share their mission — to compassionately rescue, care for and place New York City’s homeless cats and kittens.

I immediately liked their name, and as I suspected, it came from the musical “Cats” and the song “Jellicle Song for Jellicle Cats.” Anjellicle Cats Rescue has close ties to the Broadway community. The Jellicle cats are a type of feline mentioned in T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

The group works primarily with their huge foster network in the tri-state area, as space and housing are at a premium in Manhattan. However they do have three physical spaces where you can meet some of their cats: at the Spoiled Brats pet store on 49th Street, the Petco 86 on Lexington Avenue, and the Petco 100 on Columbus Avenue. You can also see adoptable cats on their website. Foster parents often welcome many prospective adopters into their homes to meet the cats in a setting where they might be more comfortable.

Anjellicle Cats Rescue also holds weekly adoption events: on Saturdays at Petco 86 from 1pm to 6pm and Sundays at Petco 100 from 1pm to 6pm. Additionally, they participate in many sponsored events throughout the year.

If you’d like to support their work, you can find a donation button on their website. Since they are an all-volunteer not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, donations help pay for food, vet bills, cleaning supplies and adoption event materials. Donations are mostly used toward vet bills, as some of the cats come to them in rough shape.

And now I’d like you to meet some of the adoptable cats cared for by Anjellicle Cats Rescue!

Sonia is an 8-year-old sweet and sassy girl who loves to play and roll around with her catnip. Shy at first, with a little bit of time to settle into new surroundings, Sonia becomes a purring lap-cat who loves pats and cuddles. If there is one way to Sonia’s heart, it’s through her brush, just pull it out of her cupboard and she’ll come running!

This wonderful brother and sister pair were adopted as kittens but returned to Anjellicle Cats when their owner faced a difficult home situation. They have large, soulful eyes, and are friendly and loving. They love to have a chat with you, sleep next to you and prefer each other to any other cats. They’re 5 years old.

Angelina has the cutest face! She is much like a kitten, even at over one-year-old, with her petite frame and tiny features. She is playful and affectionate and gets along great with other cats.

If you’d like to give any of these three a forever home, or are interested in any of Anjellicle Cats Rescue’s other adoptable cats, you can contac them via e-mail at adopt@anjelliclecats.com, call 646-457-2130, or visit their website at http://www.anjelliclecats.com.

Photo at top of post: Alistair is a sweet lap cat available for adoption through Anjellicle Cats Rescue.

Bopeeps

This is a great organization- one of several NYC rescue groups that work with ACC to keep animals from being euthanized. Our cat Sammy was adopted through a group that took him out of ACC. Sammy is one of the sweetest cats I’ve ever met and so happy to have his forever home! They do wonderful work and need to be supported.